Concrete storage tank with acid-resisting metal linings



1934- c. J. LAUBE 7 1,970,940

CONCRETE STORAGE TANK WITH ACID RESIS'IING METAL LININGS Filed May 19, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l n u n r n r n 1 n r 2 iXX 1) u n z a II 0 1 n n xmimxx w ]NVENTOR.' CHA RLES Jam LAUBE.

A TTORNEYS.

Aug. 21, 1934.

c. J. LAUBE 1,970,940

CONCRETE STORAGE TANK WITH ACID RESIS TING METAL LININGS Filed May 19, 1933 I 5 f I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IXX 1 10 11 F|e.7

IN VEN TOR. CHARLES JOSEPH LAUBE.

sy/i' A TTORNEYS.

Aug. 21, 1934. Q J LAUBE 1,979,940

CONCRETE STORAGE TANK WITH ACID RESISTING METAL LININGS Filed May 19, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. (HA RLES Jose h LA UBE ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 21, 1934 earner CUNCRETE STORAGE TANK WITH ACID- RESISTING METAL LININGS This invention relates to Concrete storage tanks particularly for beer, Wine and other liquids requiring acid-resisting surfaces, and the invention relates particularly to the problem of providing a metallic surface formed of an acid-resisting alloy, which because of the very large area of the tanks can only be commercially employed in very thin sheets, in view of the high cost of the metal.

In the invention, the tank lining may be pre-formed and transported and employed in such manner that it serves as the inner form for the concrete structure when the latter is built around it. While it is known that relatively heavy sheet metal structures of relatively necting clip therefor.

small size may serve as the inner form for con-- crete casings built around them, as in the case of iron and steel storage tanks for water, air, oil

and other fluids, it has not heretofore been found commercially practical to construct large tanks such as beer-fermenting and storage tanks by such method, in view of the fact that such tanks are commonly twenty to seventy feet in length r, and commonly having a width and height of ten feet and more.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a vertical section through a tank constructed in accordance with my invention.

2 is a front end View of the tank with the concrete at that point broken away to expose the metal lining.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one end portion of a tank constructed accordance. with the invention, the concrete being broken away to expose the metallining.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line t l,

Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the lining of the tank near its top to show the-corner reinforcement and other reinforcing members:

Fig. 6 is a vertical ection through the tank lining at its bottom portion. i Fig. .7 is a fragmentary vertical section through V the tank at its manhole end illustrating the construction of themanhole.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section through the lining showing an anchorage clip in elevation view.

Fig. 9 is a plan View of the lining with the anchorage clip applied; -,Fig. 16 is a horizontal section through the lining showing an anchorage clip and a con- Fig. 11 is a View in elevation of the members illustrated in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section through the bottom wall of the lining and concrete showing one form of grout hole.

13 is a view'similar toFig. 12 showing a modified form of grout hole.

Figs. 14-15 show respectively two methods of welding sections of the lining.

Fig. 16 is a view in vertical section showing two lining Units brought together and held in position by clamping bracketsactuated by nut and bolt devices.

Fig. 17 is a vertical longitudinal section through one end of the tank lining constructed in accordance with the invention having therein a bracing frame employed in handling the lining preliminary to encasing it with concrete.

Fig. 18 is a vertical section on the line 18-48, Fi 17. i

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the lining structure.

Fig. 20 is a horizontal section through a corner of the lining and reinforcing frame at the line 2020, Fig. 17.

Fig. 21 is a vertical corner section at the line 21, Fig. 17, showing the corner bracing.

Fig. 22 is a sectional View of the lined structure showing the method of abutting the sheets of the lining for firm joint and for providing bonding flanges for the concrete.

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary section through aplate and flange thereof, the latter being in elevation, showing an arrangement of spot-welding for connection with an abutting flange of a second plate.

In Fig. l I have shown in vertical section a concrete metal lined tank, the lining sheets 1 welded together to form a unitary structure, and the casing oiconcrete being indicated at 2. Projecting outwardly from the sheets 1 are indicated flanges 11: for bonding the lining to the concrete, the concrete being reinforced by means of rods 3.

In Fig. 2 the sheets 1 and. flanges 1:1: of the lining are exposed and a manhole plate 4 is provided, together with inlet, outlet and ventilating pipes 5, 5a: and 6, respectively, and testing drawor pipe '7. Above the manhole plate 4: are indi-.- cated a series of anchorage clips 8 to assist bondingof the lining to the concrete casing.

In Fig. i, the relation to the concrete casing 2 of the lining and manhole is illustrated. The manhole plate or cover 4 bears against the flanged outer head of a manhole facing member 9, the construction of which is clear from the en-;

largecl view, Fig. I. Manhole facing member 9 is;

provided at its inner face with a long flange 9m to afford an adequate seat for the abutting lining sheets 1, and intermediate the flanged head of facing 9 and flange 911; an adequate reception chamber is provided for the concrete of casing 2 so that the facing member is firmly bound in place. Facing member 9 may be provided with angularly bent rods or bars 10 for further increasing the bond and for transmitting stresses from the manhole devices to the concrete casing 2.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 2, 3 and 19, the lining comprises a plurality of thin flat sheets preferably of such an acid-resisting alloy as stainless steel, the sheets being preferably provided with outwardly extending flanges is for bonding the lining to the concrete casing. These flanges 1x may be formed integral with the sheets as shown in Fig. 22 so as to have the function of providing an adequate mutual facing for the abutting surfaces of contiguous sheets to enable adequate bonding together, as with spot-welding a, Fig. 23, or, the sheets may have secured thereto, as by welding, outwardly projecting anchorage members 132m. It is unnecessary that the anchorage members 1mm be constructed of the same costly material as that of the lining; they may be made of steel or iron. In such case, the difiiculty of welding togetherthe alloy of the lining and the different metal of the anchorage members may be obviated by welding to the lining spaced clips 11 of stainless steel and securing these clips in any suitable manner to the anchorage members 11m.

The anchorage members 1mm will not only serve as bonding members intermediate the lining and the concrete casing, but will serve to reinforce and strengthen the lining, particularly in the handling of the lining prior to the encasing thereof with concrete.

Intermediate its margins each sheet may have applied thereto, as by welding, a plurality of the anchorageclips 8 shown in detail in Figs. 8 and 9.

When the anchorage members 1mm are employed in lieu'of the abutting flanges 120 (Fig. 2)

of the sheets, they may be connected at their.

abutting edges in any suitable manner, three methods being shown in Figs.14 to 16' inclusive.

In Fig. 14, I have shown thesheets provided with aweld I) over a backing strip 13.

In Fig. 15, I have shown one sheet at its mar-.

gin slightly depressed to receive the margin of a second sheet so that two sheets at their inner surface will lie in a straight line, and have provided two lines of welding b;

In Fig. 16, Ihave shown each of two abutting sheets 1 welded to flanged clips 14, the clips of the two sheets being brought together to closely abut the edges of the sheets by means of a bolt and nut device 15 which passes through the flanges. of the'clips and through flange members 16 which may be of the same construction as the anchoragemembers, 14cm and serving the same function.

After the sheets l are brought together, they 'j placed and the two anchorage members are prefmanner illustrated in Fig. 6. At the bottom wall of the lining the sheets may, as they approach the side sheets of the lining, be curved upwardly, and transversely extending flanged base anchorage and reinforcing members 20 are employed, their upper ends meeting longitudinally extending anchorageand reinforcing members 19 at the opposite sides of the lining.

Within the lining and preferably after it is constructed, I build a supporting truss frame comprising an inner sheeting of spaced horizontally laid planks 21, the planks being placed flat against the. inner Walls of the lining sheets. Abutting the inner faces of planks 21 are a plurality of rectangular frames indicated at 22, Figs. 17 and 18. At each side of the lining and within the same and extending longitudinally thereof, is a truss frame member 23 secured to transverse frame pieces 24 and at each side and near the top thereof is a second longitudinally extending truss frame member 23a: which abuts transverse frame pieces 24m. Truss frame members 23, 230:, are connected by sets of diagonally extending truss rods 25, the rods of each set crossing each other and each rod being split, threaded and connected with a threaded coupling sleeve 26 by means of which the length of the rods may be adjusted.

Further strength may be imparted to the inner reinforcing structure by means of transverse frame members 2'7, Fig. 18, and additional longitudinal frame abutment members 28.

According to my method, the lining is fabrioated out of thin sheets 1 of stainless steel or similar acid-resisting and relatively costly metal alloy and then transported as a unit to the location. of the tank, except where the dimensions of the tank are so very large that it is necessary to fabricate separate sections and connect them at the tank position. By my method of'employing an inner bracing frame, it is practical to pre-form and transport linings or lining sections twenty to thirty-five feet in length and eight to twelve feet in width and height.

When the bracing frame with its truss reinforcement is employed, the structure may be raised'by a crane and placed on a flat car for transportationto the brewery, stock house or other place of erection.

In providing the concrete casing, I found that it is not practical to deposit the lining upon a prepared concrete base and then build the side and top walls about the lining, this being due to the large area of the lining and the necessity that the bottom wall of the lining have uniform contact with the concrete casing and be firmly bonded thereto. According to my method, I form a concrete foundation, which foundation will become an integral member of the casing and may comprise 14"- of concrete and then lower the lining above the foundation a distance sufficient to enable grouting to be applied to the foundation, the grouting to be of sufficient thickness, say 4.". With the lining properly supported, I apply the grouting by forcing it under pressure through suitable grouting holes formed in the bottom wall of the lining. I preferably place the grouting holes six feet apart. I preferably reinforce the grouting holes by an apertured frame plate welded or otherwise secured to the outer faces of the appropriate lining sheets, twomethods being shown in Figs. 12 to 13.

In Fig. 12, the grout hole frame plate 28 is formed with a seat to receive a closure 29 for the grout hole 30. In practice, grouting will be forced through the hole under pressure, as by a cement gun, and when the space intermediate the pre-formed foundation area A and lining sheets 1 are completely filled with grouting, the cables, props, or other supporting means for the lining are removed and the latter is permitted to settle down to complete a pressure contact between the grouting and the lining. Preliminary to this, the grouting opening is sealed by cover member 29 which may be welded into position.

In Fig. 13, the grout hole frame plate 289: is formed with an upwardly projecting neck internally threaded and thus adapted to receive a threaded nozzle of a pressure hose so that the grouting may be forced into the space intermediate the lining and the foundation A after which a threaded plug 31 may be employed to seal the opening.

After the bottom wall of the concrete tank structure is thus formed, the sides of the structure will be fabricated. When the tank stands alone with a space at the sides and at each end, I preferably employ an outer form, the lining acting as the inner form and build up the structure in the manner usually employed in constructing concrete walls. Generally however, in the case of brewery, fermenting and storage tanks, a plurality of tanks are arranged side by side and the, spaced lining walls of two tanks will serve as the form for the mutual concrete wall forming that part of the casing for the tank.

In fabricating the metal lining, it will be convenient to form each wall separately, first, by

1 laying the anchorage members 1mm in proper spaced relation and holding them in position, as by welding to them the upper and lower longitudinally extending anchorage and reinforcing members 17 and 19, to form a rigid frame,

followed by securing the sheets 1 to the frame thus formed and welding together the abutting edges. The practice however may be widely varied in accordance with the particular cnditions of the shop.

As indicated in Fig. 3, the horizontal anchorage members 17, l8,'of the sides and top at the corners of the structure, may be connected by curved straps 32 and similar straps 32a: may be employed at the vertical corners of the structure as indicated in Figs. 3 and 5, thus reinforcing and protecting the lining metal at the corners of the lining.

As indicated in Fig. 5, the'outwardly extending reinforcing and anchorage members such as members 12cm, 19 and 20, may be formedwith apertures 3 1 through which may be threaded reinforcing rods for the concrete structure, which rods will incidentally serve as additional bonding means intermediate the concrete and the lining.

When the anchorage members comprise flanged abutting ends of the plates as shown in Fig. 22, the structure requires, for transportation, the inner bracing and truss system illustrated in Fig. 17. During the transportation, the frame I and abutting members 27 and 28 will not be required although such members are desirable during the fabricating of the side walls. When, however; the welding together of the plates, as in the manner illustrated in Figs. l l and 15, and the applied anchorage members late: and anchorage and reinforcing members 17,18, 19, are employed, the securing together thereof will form a rigid and strong'frame, eliminating the necessity for employing the truss members and the interior wooden frame may be eliminated for transportation purposes and applied and employed only for the purpose of strengthening the structure during fabrication of the concrete casing.

By means of the invention, I am able to economically and efficiently combine a heavy concrete tank structure and a fragile lining therefor, the two being firmly bonded together as substantially an integral structure, and to provide for the preliminary handling of the fragile sheets forming the lining as well as the handling of the fabricated lining preliminary to its combination with the concrete.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows; it being understood that various modifications may be made in the form and arrangement of the elements illustrated in the drawings, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1. A transportable lining applicable to concrete brewery fermenting and storage tanks comprising a plurality of thin metallic sheets connected to form a walled chamber of stress-resisting properties below that required for handling and transportation, and a bracing frame for said lining and comprising a plurality of anchorage bars having weld connection to the exterior of the lining and extending in substantially parallel relationship, and a plurality of anchorage bars having weld connection with the lining and extending exteriorly thereof angularly to the firstnamed bars, the anchorage bars forming a cradle for the fragile lining and being adapted to receive and resist stresses imposed upon the lining in positional and transportational movements thereof.

2. A transportable lining for concrete brewery fermenting and storage tanks and the like, comprising a plurality of acid-resisting thin metallic sheets connected to form a walled chamber of stress-resisting properties below that required for handling and transportation, the sheets being angularly bent at their margins to form anchorage and reinforcing flanges, the flanges of adjacent sheets being laid face to face and bonded together by welding to form a smooth lining interior, and a demountable bracing frame disposed within the lining and adapted to receive and resist stresses imposed upon the lining in positional and transportational movements thereof.

3. A transportable lining for concrete brewery fermenting and storage tanks and the like, com prising a plurality of acid-resisting thin metallic sheets connected to form a walled chamber of stress-resisting properties below that required for handling and transportation and a bracing frame for said lining comprising a plurality of anchorage bars applied to the exterior of the lining and of metal differing from the metal of the sheets, clips welded to the sheets and secured to the anchorage bars, the clips being of substantially the same metal as the sheets, and the anchorage bars forming a cradle for the fragile lining and being adapted to receive and resist stresses imposed upon the lining in positional and transportational movements thereof.

4. A transportable lining applicable to concrete brewery fermenting and storage tanks comprising a plurality of thin metallic sheets connected to form a walled chamber of stress-resisting properties below thatrequired for handling and transportation, and a bracing frame for said lining and comprising a plurality of anchorage bars having upwardly curved ends and welded in parallel arrangement to the bottom wall of the lining, the wall conformingin curvature to said 

